Hosted by Zero Waste Europe, in partnership with EUMANS, Equal Right, GAIA and the Negative Emissions Platform (CDR30 Pavilion)

As emissions trading schemes expand to cover new sectors, the inclusion of waste incineration and landfilling raises urgent questions of design, fairness and social impact. How can carbon pricing in the waste sector drive real emissions reductions and waste prevention, without shifting costs onto those least able to pay? This session will explore concrete policy options to align climate ambition, circular economy goals and social justice in Europe and beyond.

What we’ll cover

• Why and how to include waste incineration and other waste operations in the EU ETS and wider carbon pricing schemes
• Climate and circular-economy benefits: shifting from incineration to prevention, reuse, sorting and recycling
• Protecting citizens from rising costs: carbon revenue recycling, support for vulnerable households, fair tariffs and PAYT / EPR measures
• Global justice and “cap & share” approaches: ensuring carbon pricing supports equitable transitions, including in the Global South
• Practical policy pathways for regulators, cities and national governments to deliver low-carbon, socially fair waste management

Speakers

• Janek Vahk, Zero Pollution Policy Manager, Zero Waste Europe
• Andrea Salimbeni, Coordinator for Actions on Climate & Sustainability, EUMANS
• Zainab Bie, Director, Asia-Pacific, Equal Right

Moderator

• Mariel Vilella, Director, Global Climate Program, GAIA

Join us

• In person: CDR30 Pavilion, Blue Zone – 20 November, 13:30–15:00
• Session focus: Policymakers, regulators, city officials, civil society, and practitioners working on climate, waste and social justice